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Post by delclayman on Dec 8, 2015 2:08:03 GMT
Buck, et.al; I have a running debate with my boss regarding the lyrics in TCTLDOM.. He believes that the song is written from the perspective of the writer/singer telling the story based on historical events.. I believe that is WAY too simple for Buck and BOC.. My perception is that Buck wrote the lyrics in what would have been the perspective of the killer telling the story..
The last verse below is what really convinces me.. There is an extreme cool tone of "sinister sarcasm" built in there to me.. Like, "I dare you to come along".. Either way one of my absolute favorite songs of all time...
"They're ok the last days of may, I'll be breathing dry air
I'm leaving soon, the others are already there
You wouldn't be interested in coming along, instead of staying here
They say the west is nice this time of year, that's what they say"
Buck, would you be willing to provide your perspective on that? I have a $300 bottle of Macallan 1824 Series Scotch Single Malt Rare Cask bet with him on it!!!!
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Post by bil on Dec 9, 2015 10:43:31 GMT
The last verse is "It said", not "They say"....the west is nice this time of year...at least thats what they say  |
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Post by agent on Dec 9, 2015 10:52:08 GMT
How about that Driver, too?
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Post by Buck on Dec 9, 2015 15:02:47 GMT
Close, but no Ceegar.
The first two verses are narrative relating the story and the players. The last verse switches the perspective to the participant, before the event, about to leave for the trip west, and inviting the listener to come along.
"They say the west is nice this time of year, it's what they say."
The setting for this song is Tucson, AZ. Tucson today is a lot more dangerous than it was in 1968, mostly due to AZ's federally sanctioned porous border with Mexico.
I believe the reporter for the Phoenix newspaper that worked with the Newsday journalists in NY to publicize the story that inspired Last Days of May was murdered some years later himself while investigating crime and corruption in Arizona. I'd have to research it, but I'm fairly sure it was the same fellow.
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Post by wingswetteddown on Dec 9, 2015 15:21:47 GMT
Now the third verse makes sense...after 40 years!!!
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Post by duckbarman on Dec 9, 2015 16:19:38 GMT
I believe the reporter for the Phoenix newspaper that worked with the Newsday journalists in NY to publicize the story that inspired Last Days of May was murdered some years later himself while investigating crime and corruption in Arizona. I'd have to research it, but I'm fairly sure it was the same fellow. Was that Don Bolles? The guy mentioned here (on page 2): Statesman pdf |
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Post by duckbarman on Dec 9, 2015 17:31:01 GMT
The setting for this song is Tucson, AZ. Tucson today is a lot more dangerous than it was in 1968 So the incident happened at the end of May 1968 in the desert outside Tucson...? |
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Post by Buck on Dec 9, 2015 17:55:20 GMT
Not sure about the date. It might have been 1969 or later. Year or two after Soft White Underbelly's Stony Brook period. Last Days was written during the band's Stalk-Forrest/Blue Oyster Cult transition when we were living in Great Neck NY.
Yes, Don Bolles was the Phoenix reporter. Courageous guy.
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Post by duckbarman on Dec 9, 2015 18:17:57 GMT
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Post by duckbarman on Dec 9, 2015 18:20:18 GMT
Ha!! That's the one bit I thought I was on firm ground with... |
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Post by djhjr86 on Dec 9, 2015 20:20:47 GMT
I've tried to find anything related to the story that inspired LDOM and have came up empty handed.
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Post by delclayman on Dec 9, 2015 22:43:50 GMT
Buck,
WOW!! Thanks so much for taking the time to explain!! Actually, that even makes it more cool and complex! (in a good way).. I have debated the structure of that song in my head for years!! Since 1978 to be exact..
Incidentally, I think I am off the hook for the bottle of scotch too!!! Maybe I will bring it to the next BOC show instead......
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Post by bil on Dec 9, 2015 23:44:08 GMT
"They say the west is nice this time of year, it's what they say." What? My official BOC fan club lyric book is wrong...again?  |
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Post by Buck on Dec 10, 2015 0:03:49 GMT
Bill, you can't proof read it all. At least I can't.
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Post by markus on Dec 13, 2015 17:57:13 GMT
The Don Bolles' murder was probably the biggest wake-up calls to those of us living in the southwest that there was a lot more to this sleepy desert city than met the eye. Don Bolles' Murder 1Don Bolles' Murder 2
Don Bolles' CarDisclaimer - I don't necessarily agree with the politics of the above listed link providers. |
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